goodhandsgiveback – The Allstate Bloghttps://blog.allstate.com
Expert tips and fun facts on protecting your car, home, motorcycle or RV from Allstate Auto InsuranceThu, 08 Dec 2016 23:06:57 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.166977242Celebrating a big birthday by giving a big gifthttps://blog.allstate.com/celebrating-a-big-birthday-by-giving-a-big-gift/
https://blog.allstate.com/celebrating-a-big-birthday-by-giving-a-big-gift/#respondFri, 21 Dec 2012 14:52:44 +0000https://blog.allstate.com/?p=4023This year, the Allstate Foundation celebrated a big anniversary not by receiving, but by giving. The Foundation first invited its key nonprofit partners to an Executive Summit where peers and experts shared ideas on how to build betterorganizations. It then offered attendees $600,000 worth of special grants to help put those principles into practice. “Due […]

]]>This year, the Allstate Foundation celebrated a big anniversary not by receiving, but by giving. The Foundation first invited its key nonprofit partners to an Executive Summit where peers and experts shared ideas on how to build betterorganizations. It then offered attendees $600,000 worth of special grants to help put those principles into practice.

“Due to the current state of the economy and scaled back donations, the need for nonprofits has never been greater,” said Allstate Vice President of Public Social Responsibility, Vicky Dinges. “Which means the groups themselves must be more efficient and more effective than ever. That’s what the Foundation’s 60th Anniversary Executive Summit was all about.”

The event brought together leaders from groups focused on the Foundation’s two signature issues — teen safe driving and financial empowerment for victims of domestic violence — as well as key nonprofits in Allstate’s hometown of Chicago.

They heard presentations and discussions on using social media, evaluating programs more effectively, understanding legal risks, mobilizing nonprofit boards, fostering financial sustainability, tapping generational diversity within their organizations, and more. Allstate CEO Tom Wilson led off the Summit by providing his personal insights on leadership. He urged participants to define their mission broadly, but to execute programs in very specific, tailored ways. He encouraged them to focus on leadership development throughout the organization, and to embrace change in governance, authority and accountability.

As part of a surprise Allstate Foundation 60th Anniversary Summit Grant, attendees were asked to share insights about making their own organizations more effective. With collaboration from Summit participants, the Foundation created a one-time, competitive grant program totaling $600,000 to further the capacity of organizations present. The grant program focuses on leadership development, organizational development and digital development for the nonprofits.

Grants between $20,000 and $60,000 each have been awarded to 14 organizations all over the country. The Summit Grant awarded funding to a collaboration between a domestic violence organization, The Spring of Tampa Bay, and a teen safe driving group, More Health, to assess their leadership and organizational strengths and make important decisions about how to expand their programs strategically in order to best meet the needs of the families in their community. The small Writers Theater in Chicago also received funding to create a sophisticated new digital ticketing and database system to help them effectively grow their audience.

At the end of a busy day at the Summit, attendees said they were energized and eager to put what they learned into practice. In a post-meeting survey, every respondent answered “yes” when asked if “The Summit helped me understand leadership challenges in ways that will benefit my organization.” As one participant put it: “You give new meaning to the phrase ‘You’re in Good Hands with Allstate.’ I appreciate your caring and professional approach to social causes, and the respectful way you treat your community partners.”

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/celebrating-a-big-birthday-by-giving-a-big-gift/feed/04023Better listening drives better resultshttps://blog.allstate.com/better-listening-drives-better-results/
https://blog.allstate.com/better-listening-drives-better-results/#commentsFri, 21 Dec 2012 14:50:59 +0000https://blog.allstate.com/?p=4021Our employees and agency owners are on the ground in nearly every community in the country. That’s why we have been focused for so long on having a positive impact on our local communities. Our strategy for giving back comes from our in-depth understanding of our own communities and also from tapping into a network […]

]]>Our employees and agency owners are on the ground in nearly every community in the country. That’s why we have been focused for so long on having a positive impact on our local communities. Our strategy for giving back comes from our in-depth understanding of our own communities and also from tapping into a network of nonprofits, investors and employees to help us refine our approach. This year, Allstate’s Social Responsibility Report outlines the results of that strategy and all our work to give back and be a sustainable, responsible corporate citizen.

To help fine-tune our social responsibility strategy, Allstate convened a stakeholder panel including representatives from nonprofit groups, investors, opinion leaders and senior-level employees. They discussed issues from climate change to financial literacy and agreed to continue meeting twice a year. The company then conducted a “sustainability materiality assessment” with in-depth input from Allstate’s key stakeholder groups — shareholders, customers, policymakers, communities, employees, and others. The process highlighted common ground and common goals on issues like the environment, diversity, employee satisfaction, safe driving and financial literacy.

“Allstate’s responsibility to improve local communities is central to our shared vision,” said Allstate Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tom Wilson. “This commitment not only reflects the respect we have for our customers, it energizes local Allstate agency owners and rewards our people with personal growth and the opportunity to make a difference.We do it because it is who we are, what we believe and what we expect from each other. This year’s report has many inspiring stories of Allstaters making a difference. I am filled with pride when faced with the reality of what we accomplish with talented people and the resources of a large and successful company.”

Meanwhile, the company continued to make progress in other areas affecting our stakeholders. Responding to employee input, in 2011 Allstate improved health and wellness offerings, training and professional development programs. Allstate also was named one of America’s top 50 companies for diversity by Diversity, Inc. magazine.

The company continued to reduce paper usage at corporate headquarters, cutting use in half over the past two years. Allstate’s overall carbon footprint declined nine percent in 2011. The Allstate Foundation’s program to support domestic violence survivors was significantly expanded. And Allstate was a leading supporter of the STANDUP Act, a federal bill encouraging graduated drivers license standards that became law last June.

Listening to and learning from stakeholders, seeking and finding solutions that serve several purposes is becoming ingrained in Allstate’s strategy. “There’s much more to do,” says Allstate Vice President of Public Social Responsibility, Vicky Dinges. “But we’ve laid the foundation for an ongoing process that will make us better, stronger, more successful. And we’re committed to following through.”

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/better-listening-drives-better-results/feed/14021Partnering together to support local communitieshttps://blog.allstate.com/when-it-comes-to-giving-size-matters/
https://blog.allstate.com/when-it-comes-to-giving-size-matters/#respondFri, 21 Dec 2012 14:49:24 +0000https://blog.allstate.com/?p=4020[Photo caption: Suren Gupta, Executive Vice President Allstate Technology and Operations, and Jim Towns, agency owner and co-chairman of Agency Executive Council] With corporate giving campaigns, what matters most: that more people give or that people give more? The answer, of course, is both. But broadening the base of employee contributors is always a good […]

With corporate giving campaigns, what matters most: that more people give or that people give more? The answer, of course, is both. But broadening the base of employee contributors is always a good sign — especially in a time when tighter personal budgets make it harder for individuals to give as much as they’d like.

That was the experience with Allstate’s 2012 companywide giving campaign, which received more than $4.4 million from Allstate employees and agency owners. Matched by a 20 percent corporate contribution, the result was more than $5.3 million donated to 7,600 nonprofit organizations across the country. While that total was less than the previous year, the number of Allstate employees who contributed rose by eight percent nationwide.

“You always want to top last year’s dollar total,” said Patricia Garza, Allstate Director of Strategic Philanthropy. “But increasing the participation rate is great news because giving becomes a habit. People see their money put to work in their own communities, and that encourages them to give again — and involve others — the next year.”

Giving coordinators around the country used inventive incentives to increase participation. In Allstate’s Stockton, California Market Claim Office, managers cooked and served meals to employees who gave. Prizes — including San Francisco Giants tickets and a Napa Valley wine tasting trip — were promised if three out of four employees contributed to the campaign. They easily topped that goal, with 86 percent giving, compared with 51 percent the previous year.

Elsewhere, coordinators asked employees to share personal stories about why they donate to their favorite charities. Others suggested giving in the name of friends or family to causes like breast cancer awareness. Both agency owners and employees logged onto the Giving Campaign website to share stories and donations.

And everywhere, givers cited the good that any size contribution can do. “At any time, one of us could need the assistance of these organizations,” said coordinator Laura Spadafora in the New Yorkregion. “Even the smallest amount is welcome because, in large numbers, the Giving Campaign really does make a big difference.”

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/when-it-comes-to-giving-size-matters/feed/04020Fan the flames of volunteerismhttps://blog.allstate.com/fan-the-flames-of-volunteerism/
https://blog.allstate.com/fan-the-flames-of-volunteerism/#respondFri, 21 Dec 2012 14:46:59 +0000https://blog.allstate.com/?p=4017How do you energize already-enthusiastic employee volunteers to build on that commitment in their communities? You give them someskin in the game, by allowing them to choose which groups or programs they support. And you back them with grants to help pay expenses for their projects. That was the strategy behind Allstate’s first companywide Week […]

]]>How do you energize already-enthusiastic employee volunteers to build on that commitment in their communities? You give them someskin in the game, by allowing them to choose which groups or programs they support. And you back them with grants to help pay expenses for their projects. That was the strategy behind Allstate’s first companywide Week of Service, held August 6-11 in hometowns across America.

John Bengston, an Allstate employee in Northbrook, Illinois jumped at the chance to help Habitat for Humanity of Fox Valley. “Knowing I have Allstate’s support to lead a volunteer project benefiting a nonprofit that offers so much is a great feeling. And for my employer to back that up with a $500 challenge grant really takes our community support to another level,” said John.

“We all have causes close to home and close to our hearts,” said Craig Keller, Allstate director of public social responsibility. “This was a way for Allstaters everywhere to tap that personal passion.” Employees could find existing volunteer opportunities to join through VolunteerMatch, submit their own proposals, work with local Allstate Helping Hands Committees, or support Allstate Foundation signature programs on teen safe driving and domestic violence. They also could apply for 150 “Challenge Grants” of $500 each, to help cover the cost of project supplies and expenses.

The effort also partnered with Feeding America, a leading national hunger-relief organization, for service projects near Allstate’s largest offices. All told, an estimated 2,700 Allstate employees, agency owners, friends and family took part in 290 Week of Service events across the country.

“As we expected, our people really got behind this idea and made the most of the opportunity,” said Keller. “We’re already planning for next year’s Week of Service, and I’m confident it will be even bigger than what we were able to achieve in our inaugural year.”

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/fan-the-flames-of-volunteerism/feed/04017What we’re reading this month…https://blog.allstate.com/what-were-reading-this-month/
https://blog.allstate.com/what-were-reading-this-month/#respondWed, 30 May 2012 21:39:20 +0000http://community.allstate.com/community/making_a_difference/blog/2012/05/30/what-we-re-reading-this-monthNielsen finds that half of consumers under 40 are willing to pay more for products and services from socially responsible companies. [click here] Grantmakers for Effective Organizations surveyed the field to take a snapshot of funder practices and find out if grantmaking is getting smarter. [click here] The Atlantic wonders if corporations should be do-gooders? […]

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/what-were-reading-this-month/feed/01117Coming to Work for More Than Just a Paycheckhttps://blog.allstate.com/coming-to-work-for-more-than-just-a-paycheck/
https://blog.allstate.com/coming-to-work-for-more-than-just-a-paycheck/#respondWed, 30 May 2012 21:17:42 +0000http://community.allstate.com/community/making_a_difference/blog/2012/05/30/coming-to-work-for-more-than-just-a-paycheckIn this tight economy, corporations have come to discover what many nonprofits have long understood—a paycheck is not the only factor that keeps employees invested in their jobs. At Allstate, we’ve long taken a holistic approach to employee compensation, and have found some new strategies to compliment the typical pay and benefits to help us […]

]]>In this tight economy, corporations have come to discover what many nonprofits have long understood—a paycheck is not the only factor that keeps employees invested in their jobs. At Allstate, we’ve long taken a holistic approach to employee compensation, and have found some new strategies to compliment the typical pay and benefits to help us empower employees.

For years we’ve made the most of programs like career planning, professional development and volunteer recognition as some of our strongest employee retention tools. This April, we expanded these efforts to include a new program to build the personal financial well-being of our employees.

The financial fitness program builds on our success with the Allstate well-being programs, which champions a holistic approach to employee well-being that includes helping employees in their journey to become physically energized, financially strong, emotionally connected and mentally focused.

Last month—designated by Allstate as Financial Fitness month, to coincide with Financial Literacy Month—employees were given the chance to boost their financial fitness by attending financial literacy workshops on topics from homeownership to retirement readiness. Since Allstate’s employee wellness program launched in April 2011, employees have been encouraged to take advantage of a robust lineup of initiatives including a day and half workshop on their well-being, discounted healthy food options in our cafeterias and a program that gave employees an accelerometer to clip to their shoes and track their steps.

Our goal is to not only help prepare Allstate employees for the future, but also to help them feel valued and supported at work. Allstate invests a lot in its employees and this education helps them maximize the value of that investment.

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/coming-to-work-for-more-than-just-a-paycheck/feed/01118Financial literacy as a tool to end domestic violencehttps://blog.allstate.com/financial-literacy-as-a-tool-to-end-domestic-violence/
https://blog.allstate.com/financial-literacy-as-a-tool-to-end-domestic-violence/#commentsWed, 30 May 2012 21:12:29 +0000http://community.allstate.com/community/making_a_difference/blog/2012/05/30/financial-literacy-as-a-tool-to-end-domestic-violenceResearchers cite financial stability as the leading indicator of whether a victim will be able to get safe and stay safe from abuse. Inspired to put their financial skills to work for the community, Allstate agency owners and personal financial representatives have focused on helping a group of people who can greatly benefit from financial […]

Researchers cite financial stability as the leading indicator of whether a victim will be able to get safe and stay safe from abuse. Inspired to put their financial skills to work for the community, Allstate agency owners and personal financial representatives have focused on helping a group of people who can greatly benefit from financial education – domestic violence survivors.

Two years ago, The Allstate Foundation created the Allstate Against Abuse Team. It’s a growing network of more than 200 Allstate agency owners, personal financial representative and employees. Team members use their own professional expertise, along with materials and resources provided by The Allstate Foundation, to help survivors in their communities achieve their financial goals and live free from abuse. As leading financial service providers, our agency owners and personal financial representatives can apply the same principles we share with clients to empower survivors to become financially independent.

These agents and personal financial representatives are helping The Allstate Foundation reach their goal of serving 500,000 domestic violence survivors with important financial empowerment services by 2015. From simple acts like educating customers on domestic violence and where to find financial help, to more involved efforts like volunteering at a local domestic violence organization to teach financial fundamentals, the group is dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence, one survivor at a time.

Lincoln Salmon, a Florida Allstate agency owner, sums it up well: “I’ve had the opportunity to train domestic violence advocates on ways to educate survivors on financial basics – such as budgeting, debt reduction and credit repair. By sharing my professional knowledge with advocates, it’s gratifying to know I helped survivors turn small savings into big dreams.”

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/financial-literacy-as-a-tool-to-end-domestic-violence/feed/11119Financial literacy is the best insurance: Talking finances in Washington, DChttps://blog.allstate.com/financial-literacy-is-the-best-insurance-talking-finances-in-washington-dc/
https://blog.allstate.com/financial-literacy-is-the-best-insurance-talking-finances-in-washington-dc/#respondWed, 30 May 2012 21:01:43 +0000http://community.allstate.com/community/making_a_difference/blog/2012/05/30/financial-literacy-is-the-best-insurance-talking-finances-in-washington-dcThe financial strength or our nation depends on the fiscal fitness of every citizen. Giving people the right tools to make the right financial decisions not only helps [read more] them succeed, it helps America succeed. We work hard every day to live into that mission because we believe financial literacy is really the best […]

The financial strength or our nation depends on the fiscal fitness of every citizen. Giving people the right tools to make the right financial decisions not only helps [read more] them succeed, it helps America succeed. We work hard every day to live into that mission because we believe financial literacy is really the best insurance there is. An important way we’re able to do that is to put our company’s resources to work to educate the public and elected officials about financial empowerment laws and programs that matter most to us, not just as a company but as individuals.

The Allstate / National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll points out that financial literacy is one of the keys to helping the U.S. economy recover from the recession. We couldn’t agree more. At the recent White House Summit on Financial Capability and Empowerment, we participated in a panel focusing on what corporations are doing to support financial literacy.

For the last two years, Allstate agency owners and personal financial representatives have accompanied our nonprofit partners on visits to Washington, DC to educate their Congressional representatives about domestic violence and the importance of financial empowerment services for survivors. In fact, a group of Allstate Against Abuse Team members are headed to Washington in just a few weeks to do just that.

We’ve also mobilized our employees to educate their representatives in Congress about relevant issues, from teen driver safety through the STANDUP Act to protecting survivors with the Violence Against Women Act. With an easy-to-use internal website available to all our employees called Take Your Stand, Allstate employees get background information on key issues, reasons why it’s important to get involved, and ways to take action. This year, we’ll also highlight information about the importance of including financial empowerment components in federal domestic violence policies.

Financial literacy is an important cornerstone of our corporate philosophy. Because of this commitment, our public policy team works to educate policymakers not just about insurance issues affecting our company’s business, but also about the important financial empowerment issues affecting all Americans. Building our nation’s financial capabilities will make our company, community and nation stronger.

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/financial-literacy-is-the-best-insurance-talking-finances-in-washington-dc/feed/01120A Decade of Data on Teen Attitudeshttps://blog.allstate.com/a-decade-of-data-on-teen-attitudes/
https://blog.allstate.com/a-decade-of-data-on-teen-attitudes/#respondWed, 30 May 2012 20:45:10 +0000http://community.allstate.com/community/making_a_difference/blog/2012/05/30/a-decade-of-data-on-teen-attitudesTeens surveyed in the most recent Allstate Foundation and Junior Achievement Teens and Personal Finance Poll showed a dramatic shift in the way they view money and in their overall outlook for their financial future. This year’s study revealed that only 56 percent of 14 to 18 year old teens think they will be as […]

Teens surveyed in the most recent Allstate Foundation and Junior Achievement Teens and Personal Finance Poll showed a dramatic shift in the way they view money and in their overall outlook for their financial future. This year’s study revealed that only 56 percent of 14 to 18 year old teens think they will be as financially well-off or better than their parents. That represents a 37 percent drop from 2011 when 89 percent felt that way.

We were able to see this shift because we had years of data to analyze and compare. By conducting this annual study with the same format and series of questions year after year, the Poll has been able to illuminate nearly a decade’s worth of trends in teen attitude and behavior toward money and finance.

“The value of our Teens and Personal Finance Poll is due in large part to the library of data we’ve built over the years that enables us to pinpoint trends and concerns for today’s teens,” stated Vicky Dinges, Allstate Vice President of Social Responsibility. “While it’s difficult to accept a 37-percent decline in the number of teens who feel they will able to see the same financial success as their parents; it is heartening to know Junior Achievement is stepping in to help teens build important financial literacy skills.”

Since 2005, Junior Achievement and The Allstate Foundation have partnered to help students take the valuable information learned about personal finance in the classroom and apply it in their lives after graduation. Our annual Poll is just one piece of the partnership. The Junior Achievement JA Economics for Success® program, created in partnership with The Allstate Foundation, has helped more than 1.2 million students set personal goals about money and make wise financial choices. The program also helps empower students to develop, plan and set goals to help protect them from unexpected financial pitfalls. Our partnership has lasted so long because we understand that in research and financial literacy programming, consistency pays.

]]>https://blog.allstate.com/a-decade-of-data-on-teen-attitudes/feed/01121What we’re reading this monthhttps://blog.allstate.com/what-were-reading-this-month-2/
https://blog.allstate.com/what-were-reading-this-month-2/#respondTue, 07 Feb 2012 21:24:25 +0000http://community.allstate.com/community/making_a_difference/blog/2012/02/07/what-we-re-reading-this-monthEdelman’s 2012 Trust Barometer is out, and the biggest finding is “a general skepticism toward institutions such as government and big business with signs of hope when it comes to empowered individuals.” Philanthropy 2173 lists the Top 10 Philanthropy Buzz Words of 2011. We used “Infographics” to aid in “Storytelling” about our “Evidence Based” “Collective […]

]]>Edelman’s 2012 Trust Barometer is out, and the biggest finding is “a general skepticism toward institutions such as government and big business with signs of hope when it comes to empowered individuals.”